Diaphragm meter



l atentecl Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIAPHRAGM METER of Delaware Application August 25, 1933, Serial No. 686,802

2 Claims.

Heretofore meters of the diaphragm type have supplied means for supporting the diaphragm which compelled a path of movement of the phragm following a fixed path permitted by the support. This constraint of movement of the diaphragm has resulted in a lack of freedom of response of the diaphragm through the action of the fluid. It is desirable to permit all parts of the diaphragm to respond, without restraint, thus permitting a straight line movement of the diaphragm where conditions would tend to produce this result and also to permit slight variations where freedom of movement is best ac complished by such variation. The materials of which the diaphragms are made, usually leather, are not entirely uniform even in different parts of the diaphragm. Consequently there is a tendency of some parts of the diaphragm to move more freely than others and where the diaphragm is provided with a disc to which the actuating parts are connected this results in a tendency of the disc to wobble. It is desirable to permit of this variable movement of the disc to accommodate these differences in the diaphragm so that none of the parts may be placed under strain and the bearings may all operate freely. Features and details of the invention will appear from the specification and claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing as follows:

Fig. l is a central horizontal section of a meter.

Fig. 2 a section on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 a detached view of the support for the diaphragm.

I marks the case. This is provided with diaphragm seats 2, preferably a plurality of seats, 3 the diaphragms, 4 covers forming with the diaphragms metering chambers, the covers being provided with seats 5, the edges of the diaphragms being secured between the opposing seats 2 and 5 in the usual manner. The diaphragms include discs 6 to which a flexible part is attached in the usual manner. Links I lead from the discs to a crank 8 arranged on the control shaft 9. The control shaft is mounted in bearings ID in the case and extends through the upper wall of the case and operates a valve II in a valve chamber I2 in the usual manner. The shaft 9 has a worm l3 which drives a worm gear M. The worm gear is fixed on a shaft I5 leading to a dial l6. These parts also are, or may be of common construction.

A supporting arm I! is pivotally mounted in a bracket l8, the bracket being secured to the wall of the case. It has an upwardly extending post l9 at the outer end and plates 20 and 22 are mounted on the post. The disengagement of the (Cl. H -262) plates 26 and 22 from the pin I9 is prevented by a pin 2| extending through the post. An extension has a pin 23 which is secured in the plates 20 and 22. The plates 20 and 22 form a pivotal connection between the post l9 and pin 24, the plates being preferably fixed on the pin 2%. The extension 23 has an upwardly extending projection 725 on which is arrangeda collar 26 with a rounded seat on its upper face. The pin extends through an opening 2'! in a bracket 28 secured to the disc 6. A pin 29 extends through the pin 25 and prevents the disengagement of the bracket from the pin.

With this structure the pivoted support swings with the movement of the diaphragm, but does not compel a path of movement of the diaphragm following the arc of the outer end of the pivoted support, or bail. The swinging extension between the disc and the end of this arm permits the diaphragm to follow any path of movement so that it may readily accommodate itself to variations in structure, or in a natural tendency to oppose a movement in a curved path. The perforation in the bracket 28 should be slightly larger than the pin so as to permit free wobbling movement of the diaphragm relatively to this connection. Thus through the extension 23 with its pivotal connections and the free movement on the shoulder the diaphragm is supported with a universal connection and with a means which permits of a free path of movement of the diaphragm while actually supported. By placing the bracket toward the upper end of the wall 6 the wall is suspended as it were and, therefore, through gravity yieldingly maintains its vertical position.

What I claim as new is:--

1. In a meter, the combination of a case; a diaphragm in the case responding in movement to flow of fluid to and from the case, said diaphragm having a movable rigid central wall and a surrounding flexible wall providing freedom of movement for the rigid wall toward and from the case throughout its periphery; and a support for the diaphragm movable with the diaphragm and having a universal connection with the rigid wall.

2. In a meter, the combination of a case: a diaphragm in the case responding in movement to flow of fluid to and from the case, said dia phragm having a movable rigid central wall and a surrounding flexible wall providing freedom of movement for the rigid wall toward and from the case throughout its periphery; a support for the diaphragm movable with the diaphragm; and a link connection between the support and the upper part of the rigid wall, said link having a universal pivotal connection with the rigid wall.

JOHN C. DIET-IL. 

